Folding machine



March 10, 1942. w JOHNSOIN v 2,275,964

FOLDING MACHINE Filed Dec. 21, 1938 8 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR OSCAR W. JOHNSON ATTORNEYS March 10, 1942. o. w. JOHNSON FOLDING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 21, 1938' nnuu INVENTOR OSCAR w. JOHNSON @47 4 7/0 14 ATTCZQ%EYS nnnnnnnAn a xch 10, 1942. o. w. JOHNSON 2,275,964

FOLDING MACHINE Filed Dec. 21, 1938 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR OSCAR W. JOHNSON ATTOR EYS March. 10, 1942.

o. w. JOHNSON FOLDING MACHINE Filed Dec 21, 1938 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 N O S N H o J w W .EDn V m 0 0. w. JOHNSON FOLDING MACHINE March 10, 1942.

Filed Dec. 21, 1938 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 W W H T 'March 10, 1942. o. w; JOHNSON FOLDING MACHINE 6 v e e h s V 9 e h S 8 8 3 9 l 2 m D d e l i F S OE mm mm, mm 5 b6 Om mm mm Vm Mn 0? INVENTOR OSCAR W. JOHNSON 7V ,1?? ATTORNEYS March 10, 1942. o. w. JOHNSON I 2,275,964

FOLDING MACHINE Filed Dec. 21, 1938 8 Sheets-Sheet '7 INVENTOR OSCAR W. JOHNSON ATTORNEY;

' March 10, 1942. o. w. JOHNSON.

FOLDING MACHINE Filed Dec. 21, 1938 8 Sheecs-Sheet '8 INVENTOR OSCAR W. JOHNSON BY ATTORNEYS WV Patented 10, 1942 orrice roumvc mom I Oscar W. Johnson, Rochester, N. Y., assignor to The American Laundry Mac Company,

'Norwood, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application December 21, 1938, Serial No. 246,928

12 Claims.

This invention relates to folding machines such as are used for folding flatwork in iaundries, particularly sheets, table, cloths, spreads, cotton blankets, shower curtains, table tops and the like. The invention is an improvement upon the invention il1ustrated,'described and claimed in my prior patent for folding machine No. 2,034,040, granted March 17, 1936.

The invention of said Letters Patent provided a machine adapted to receive pieces of flatwork, usually rectangular, varying in size, from a flatwork ironing machine and to carry them in turn past measuring, timing and folding mechanisms so organized and associated as to produce proper folds in the article regardless of its size, the machine being sensitive, as it were; to the length of the article and adapted to fold it uniformly, such as by half and quarter folds or by third and two-third folds, proportionately to its length.

The object of the present invention is to generally simplify and improve the machine of said prior patent in a manner to dispense with unnecessary mechanism, to simplify and improve the various elements, such as the measuring, timing, folding and other elements, and utilize mechanical instead of electrical devices, wherever possible, for control or operation, thereby avoiding mechanical and electrical difficulties encountered in the use of solenoids or other electrical devices for control or operation.

A further object of the invention is to simplify and improve the control mechanism by which an article selectively may be passed through the machine either without any fold or folded, and which adapts the machine for control of its two lanes individually by articles in each of said lanes or for conjoint operation of the two lanes by a wide article extending into both lanes.

A further object of the invention is to improve the drive means for synchronous relation between ironing and folding machines.

A further object is to improve the coupling mechanism for control of the folding mechanisms of both lanes by a single timer mechanism, as required -when the article is wider than the width of a single lane.

A further object is to simplify the mounting and support for the measuring device, which here is mounted in part upon the ironing machine, so as not to interfere with or be interfered by the operation and adjustment of the ironing machine in the usual way. a

A further object of the invention is to simplify and improve the mechanism for initiating opernot by direct operation of an electrical device, such as a solenoid, but by mechanical devices controlled electrically, as-will more fully appear.

A further object of the invention is to improve the folding blade operating mechanism, which here is not electrically operated,-but is operate by direct mechanical connection to the timer mechanism.

A further object is to improve the drive for the timer mechanism so as toassu're one way rotation, with attendant advantages.

Further objects of the invention are in part obvious and in part will appear more in detail hereinafter.

I In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a plan view'ofa folding machine embodying the invention, parts being broken out to expose underlying parts, the central portion of the mechanism being omitted;

' Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of the machine I mately the lineB-S, Fig. 2, looking in the directionof the arrows,gand showing but one half of the machine, to-wit, that half of .the machine which is to the left when viewed from the position of the receiving operator standing at the bottom of Fig. 1;

' Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 and illustrating the corresponding right-hand half of the machine; v

Fig. 7 is a detail sectional view on approximately the line fI-J, Fig. 6, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 8 is a detail sectional view on the line 8-8, Fig. 6, looking in the rows;

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic side elevation illustrating both the folding machine and the flatwork ironer with which it is associated, the diagram showing the arrangement and path of travel of the conveying and driving ribbons;

Fig. 10 is a detail plan view of the measuring apparatus shown in Figs. .13 and 14;

Fig. 11 is a detail fragmental plan view of the ation of the timer, which here is accomplished measuring apparatus, with the'floating ribbon direction of the a'rsupporting structure or pressure device omitted; Fig. 12 is a detail sectional elevation on the line l2 -l2, Fig. 10, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 13 is a detail fragmental side elevation, showing a portion of each of the fiatwork ironer and the folding machine, and the connecting means therebetween, as well as the support for the measuring apparatus;

Fig. 14 is an enlarged side elevation of the measuring apparatus shown in Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is an enlarged detail view, showing one of a pair of duplicate devices for initiating operation of the timer mechanisms;

Fig. 16 is a view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 15 as viewed on the line lG-Hi looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 17 is a detail side elevation of one of the duplicate timer mechanisms, parts being broken out and in section to expose interior parts;

Fig. 18 is adetail sectional view on the line l8l8, Fig. 17;

Fig. 19 is a detail fragmental view of one of the folding blade operating mechanism, the view being taken substantially on the line l9-l9, Fig. 2;

Fig. 20 is a detail sectional view on approximately the line 20-20, Fig. 19, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 21 is a detail sectional view on the line 2l--2|, Fig. 20;

Fig. 22 is a view corresponding to Fig. 2, showing a modified arrangement of control and operating mechanisms utilizing fluid pressure;

Fig. 23 is a detail plan view of one of the timing devices, showing the coupling means for operation of the valves, the view being taken on approximately the plane of the line 2323, Fig. 22;

Fig. 24 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the fluid control circuits for the operating mechanism of the machine shown in Fig. 22;

' Fig. 25 is a detail View illustrating a further modification; and

Fig. 26 is a detail sectional view on the line 26-26, Fig. 22. p

The machine illustrated in the drawings, is what may be called a two lane machine in that it has duplicate mechanisms arranged in order along its left and right halves, forming two lanes along which two separate and distinct streams of flat articles to be folded may travel for separate folding, the mechanisms on the right lane being controlled by the articles travelling therein and those on the left lane by articles travelling therein. Because the mechanisms are duplicate,- description of one will sufiice for both, but to distinguish them in the drawings the parts in the left lane will be designated by numerals followed by the sufiix a and those in the right lane by numerals followed by the suflix b, wherever that is necessary or desirable.

While the folding machine of the present invention may be used without mechanical relation or connection to any other machine, the articles to be folded being fed by operators to the folding machine, nevertheless in many cases the folding machine will be definitely related or connected to some other machine, such as a flatwork ironer, so that the flat articles ironed in the ironing machine automatically are delivered to the folding machine to be folded thereby. Fig. 9 illustrates a folding machine, marked generally I, made and operating according to the present invention and associated with a flatwork ironer of standard type, marked generally 2.

Said flatwork ironer may be of any suitable type, but as shown includes a plurality, four being shown, of padded ironing rolls 3 interconnected by gears generally represented at 4 operated from a belt drive by the driving motor 5. The rolls cooperate with a hollow heated chest 6. Articles are fed into the ironing machine at the right-hand end of Fig. 9, passing between the rolls and chests thereof and around the end of the chest and backalong its under surface between the chest and the upper endless apron 1, which carries it back to the feeding end of the ironer from where it is returned to the delivery end of the ironer between the lower stretch of the apron I and the upper stretch of endless conveying ribbons 8. Said ribbons travel over rolls 9 and III at the feeding end of the ironer under rolls ll, l2, through the measuring device, generally indicated at l3, over a roll H supported by brackets IS on the folding machine, around and under a roll [6 of the folding machine, over a roll l'l thereof, beneath a roll l8 thereof, over a roll l9 and beneath rolls 20, 2| and 22. As the articles to be folded, lying between the upper stretch of the tapes 8 and the lower stretch of the endless apron I, pass beyond the last apron supporting roll 23 of the ironing machine and into the measuring device I3, they travel beneath endless tapes or ribbons 24 of the folding machine, which travel around rolls 25, 26 of the measuring device, over the roll I4 around roll 21 and over a tension roll 28. Short endless tapes 2 also travel around the rolls 25, 26 (Fig. 10).

In the folding machine are included a first or primary folding device, marked generally 29,

Fig. 2, a second folding device 30, operating mechanisms forthe two folding devices, marked generally and respectively 3|, 32, a timing mechanism, marked generally33, for controlling operation of the folding mechanisms, and a mechanism, generally indicated at 34, Fig. 2, sensitive to the operation of the measuring device l3, and adapted to control the timing mechanism to cause.i t to produce folds of the article in proportion to its length, whatever may be its absolute length. Duplicate mechanisms are provided, as stated, for the two lanes of the machine, all mechanisms in one lane being independent of those in the other lane, except as hereinafter noted, so that descriptions of the mechanisms of one lane will suffice for both. The various mechanisms will be described in the order of progress of the work and of the control and folding operations through the machine dur ing the cycle of operation thereof, all as follows.

Measuring apparatus The measuring apparatus is best illustrated in Figs. 9 to 14 inclusive. It comprises a housing 35, Fig. 12, generally triangularly shaped in cross section, the upper face 36 of which is curved or arcuate in form, where the lower tapes 8 coming from the ironing machine and supporting the article pass along it beneath the upper tapes 24 of the folding machine. This housing extends the full width of the machine and is supported at each end upon brackets secured to. arms 31 pivoted at 38 to the brackets l5 of the folding machine, said arms at their opposite ends carrying rollers 39 working in slots 40 in the adjustable apron carrying brackets 4| of the ironing machine. When the apron tension brackets of the ironing machine are lowered to release apron tension. as is customary in flatwork ironer operation during a rest period or at the end of a day's operation, the rollers 39 ride in the slots 46 and the arms 31 turn about the pivotal connections 38. This type of connection permits unrestricted and full movement of the apron tension brackets 41 with little effect upon the measuring devices I8 such as might separate its floating pressure device (to be described) from the housing 35.

.The arcuate surface of housing 35 is supple mented by strips 42 brazed or otherwise secured thereto and which provide imposed or raised portions which lie between and guide the several tapes or ribbons 8, as shown in Fig. 11. In each raised portion 42 (except in the extreme end ones where it is not required) there is located a slot 44 upwardly through which extend fingers 45 (Fig. 12). The several fingers in each lane are all mounted upon a common shaft 46.

Fingers 45, in their normal position, extend through the spaces between adjacent ribbons 8 and therefore across the path of travel of the articles moving through ,the machine and held between tapes 8 and 24, so that said articles by their travel through the machine will depress the fingers for the purpose of instigating operation of the timing mechanism in a manner later to be described.

To hold the tapes 24 down upon the tapes 8 drive rolls 25, 26 and ribbons 24 and to insure that the fingers 45 are depressed by the article passing through the machine. Travel of the gudgeons 48 in the slots 49 takes care of any excess motion required when the ironing machine brackets 4| are lowered during rest periods or at the end of a day.

Each finger carrying shaft 46 operates a controlling switch, which may be of any suitable form but is shown as of the quick make and break or snap switch type, always biased to switch open position.

Referring to Fig. 14, each measuring apparatus at one end is provided with a switch housing 58 into which extends the end of the shaft 46, which within the housing has pinned thereto a lever 51, alongside of which, and freely rotatable on the shaft, is a latch member 52. Lever 51 has a pin 53 working in a notch in the lower end of the latch, the upper end of which latch engages a projection 54 on an arm 55 carrying the yielding switch contact 56 cooperating with the stationary switch contact 51. A compression spring 58 lies between arm portions of the levers 51, 55.

In operation when one or more of the fingers 45 are depressed by an article passing through the machine, the shaft 46 rotates in the counterclockwise. direction, Figs. 12 and 14. At first, the upper end of the latch 52, where it lies beneath the lug 54, prevents rotation of the switch contact carrying lever 55, so that the spring 58 is compressed until the pin 53 engages the shoulder at one end of the notch in the latch lever 52.

Thereupon said latch lever begins to turn and finally moves out of the way and from beneath the lug 54. Thereupon the stored energy in spring 58 immediately becomes effective and quickly turns lever 55 and brings the contacts 56, 51. together or to closed switch-position. This is accomplished without fully expending all energy stored in the spring 58, so that when the fingers 45 are released spring 58 supplies energy to return the parts to normal position, including re-' ing device and consequently between the ironin and folding machines, but obviously switch 58 physically might be located in any suitable posi tion such as at the feeding end of the ironing machine, available for actuation by the feedim: operator without moving from her feeding posi tion, as will be readily understood.

Mechanism for initiating operation of the timer Referring to Fig. 4, which diagrammatically illustrates the electrical control circuit for the two lanes of the machine, it will be observed that each switch 56, 51, with its auxiliary switch 59 is in a circuit through an electrically actuated control device, such as a solenoid 50. The switches 58 are normally closed, being opened only when itis desired to dispense with operation of the folding mechanism. Since the switch 56, 51 is normally open, it is apparent that the solenoid 60 is de-energized except when the switch 56, 51 is closed by passage of an article through the machine and consequent depression of the fingers 45.

Thereupon energization of the solenoid actuates the mechanism for initiating operation of the timer. This mechanism, generally marked 34, Fig. 2, is best shown in Figs. 13, 15 and 16.

The mechanism is supported by a bracket 6| attached to one of the side frames 62 of the fold ing machine; In an arm 63 of said bracket is fixedly mounted a stub shaft 64 supporting a rotatable sleeve 65 having an end flange 66 and held in place on the shaft by an enlarged shaft head 61. and the sleeve 65 has keyed thereto a sleeve 69 provided with a flange 18 sensitive to a compression spring 1| which yieldingly clamps between the flanges 66, 18, a sprocket wheel 12 provided with friction discs 13 on its opposite faces, forming a friction or slip coupling between the sprocket and ratchet wheels.

Another arm 14 of the bracket supports a shaft 15 to one end of whichis pinned a lever or arm 16, which supports a shaft 11 on which is pivoted a bell crank lever 18. One arm 19 of the bell crank is pivoted to a link 80, while its other arm supports a toothed block 8| adapted to engage the teeth of ratchet wheel 68. The other end of link 88 is pivotally connected to one arm of bell crank lever 82 pivoted on a shaft 83 supported by an upward extension 84 of the bracket, the other arm 85 of said bell crank being connected by a link 86 to the armature 81 of solenoid or electro-magnet 68. Upon the shaft 83 is mounted a tension coil spring 88 arranged to bias the bell crank lever 82, 85, always to move Flange 56 carries a ratchet wheel 68.

in a clockwise direction, Fig. 15. The arm 84 of the bracket is provided with a lateral extension 89 supporting an adjustable set screw 90 forming an abutment to limit motion of link 80. Drive chain 9| connects the sprocket I2 to drive mechanism later to be referred to.

At its outer end the shaft I5 has pinned thereto an arm or lever 92, which is connected to the timer mechanism for operation thereof as later to be described.

In operation of the mechanism. just described, sprocket wheel I2 is continuously driven and through the frictional engagement of its discs I3 with the ratchet wheel 88 and flange I continuously drives the ratchet wheel. When solenoid 80 is energized by closing of the appropriate switch 58, 51, bell crank lever 82, 85 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction, Fig. 15. Its arm 82 coacts with link 80 as a toggle, thereby rotating the bell crank lever I8 clockwise about its pivotal shaft mounting I1, and moving the toothed block 8| into engagement with the ratchet wheel. Since the ratchet wheel continuously rotates, member 8| moves in a clockwise direction, carrying with it lever I8, which is pinned to shaft I5 and therefore rotates said shaft and lever 92 in the clockwise direction, Fig. 15. The timing mechanism of course limits the movement of these parts, a movement which is initiated by the production of engagement between block 8| and the ratchet wheel, and which is completed by ratchet wheel rotation, and after the timer has been started the sprocket l2 continues to rotate but the coupling slips. The parts remain in their new positions until the solenoid 60 is de-energized, when the spring 88 returns the parts to their normal positions shown in full lines, Fig. 15, disengaging the block 8| from the ratchet wheel until renewed energization again establishes said coupling in the same manner before described.

Timer mechanism The timer mechanisms, of which there are two, I

one for each lane of the machine, are best shown in Figs. 2, 5, 6, 1'7 and 18. Generally speaking, they are similar in construction and general principle of operation to those shown and described in my aforesaid prior Patent No. 2,034,040, excepting that the mechanism is considerably simplified, here providing only for half and quarter folds, or no fold, whereas the mechanism of the prior patent included an additional selection of third and two-third folds, if desired, in addition to which the timer mechanism here is entirely mechanically operated.

The timer initiating mechanism before described, when energized, produces swinging motion of the arm 92, to which is attached a link 93, Fig. 15, also shown in Figs. 2, 5, 6 and 17. When this link 93 is pulled over by operation of arm 92 (moving to the right in Fig. 2 and upwardly in each of Figs. 5 and 6) it operates an arm or lever 94 coupled to a shaft 95 by a coiled spring 96, pulling outwardly on pins 91 slidably mounted in the casing 98 and arranged to produce lateral motion of cam members 99 to release a pair of arms I09, and simultaneously at double the speed of the other, but when the rear edge of the article releases the measuring fingers 45, the mechanism for initiating timer operation releases link 98 and the timercams 99 return to normal position under the influence of the stored energy in springs IOI. Thereupon the two arms I00, now properly set apart as designated by the positions marked respectively X,- and Y, Fig. 17, move together at the same speed. Their relative position has been established by the length of the article to produce a double fold thereof, 1. e., first a half fold and second a quarter fold. The operating finger at the end of arm X moves in the path of anoperating arm I02, and when it actuates the same it rotates the shaft I03 carrying said arm, thereby initiating operation of the first folding device, marked generally 29, Fig, 2, to produce the first fold in the article travelling in this lane. The finger at the end oftiming arm Y moves in the path of a second operating arm I 04, and when it actuates said arm turns the shaft I05 to which it is attached, to initiate operation of the second folding device, marked generally 30 in Fig. 2, to produce the second,

fold of the article, which by that time has reached the proper position for its second fold.

The operating arm supporting brackets I08, I01 are each individually mounted for adjustment circumferentially of the timing casing upon a plate I08, bolts I09 and slots II 0 being provided for the purpose, so that proper folding lines may be established by individual adjustment of the brackets. Collective adjustment of both arms may be obtained by adjusting the position of the plate I08 on the casing, by means of the bolts III and slots I I2 provided for the purpose. Preferably an indexing mechanism is provided for this adjustment. For this purpose, theframe of the machine is provided with a bracket II3, a portion of which is notched as at Ill to receive a yielding dog II5 on an arm of a handle II6 pivoted at I" in an arm 8 attached to plate I 08. The full lines, Fig. 18, represent the normal position of the parts, in which the dog 5 is held in a notch by the effect of the compression spring II9. By' turning the handle II6 to the dotted line position, Fig. 18, against the compression of spring H9, and releasing bolts III, plate I 08 may be adjusted to a new position on the timer casing, in which it will be held by re-engagement with the dog with the appropriate notch.

Folding blade operting mechanism Referring to Fig. 9, it has been said that where the article carried by the upper stretch of the tapes 8. reaches the measuring device, it encounters the folding machine tapes 24, so that the tapes 8 and 24 together move with the article to the roll I8. The rolls I8, I! are covered with fabric material to provide a frictional coefficient for driving engagement between said rolls and the tapes 8, which constitute the sole .driver for the folding machine mechanism. Tapes 8, of

, course, are driven by their driving rollers in the ironing machine. Consequently all parts of the ironing machine and folding machine turn in accurately timed relation with each other, Roll I6 serves as the delivery roll for delivering the folded article to the folding machine in position to be folded. Referring to Fig. 2, as the article passes over roll I6 it meets a series of stripper fingers I 20, which strip it from the lower tapes 8, causing it to travel with certainty downwardly over a polished guide plate I2I, which be heated in any manner, such as by steam sci- .mitted to tubes I22 attached to the under side of said plate.

may

Plates I23 suspended from a rod I prevent any tendency oi the forward edge of the article to pass directly between the folding rolls. Said plate I2I extends downwardly to meet delivery tapes I34 travelling around rolls I35, I36, said tapes leading to a deliverytable I31. This delivery system is utilized in case the article is to be discharged without fold, such as by opening the appropriate switch 59 to cut out the solenoid 60 and render each of the two folding devices 29, 30 inoperative or ineffective. If the article is to be folded, when it reaches a position on plate I2I, as predetermined by the measuring apparatus and timer, a folding blade I25, forming part of the first folding mechanism, engages it and moves it into :contact between the roll 21 before referred to, and around which the tapes 24 pass, and a lower roll I26, thus producing the first fold. Roll I26 has secured to it a series of rings I21 (Fig. 1) made of resilient material, such as rubber,v for driving rolls 21 from the roll I26. The upper roll 21 at its ends is provided with gudgeons which travel loosely in slots I28 in the frame, which slots are ofsuch depths and are set at such an angle that the roll 21 freely rides in floating contact with the lower roll I26. The upper roll 21 is covered wi'th fabric material for frictional driving en- 'aeraeee w with arms 153- zsvhich. support. thefoldingigibldde I38.. Shaft I62 and the folding bladeassembly carried thereby are normally biased to -the unoperated position shown in Fig. 2 bya coil spring I64. Said spring therefore yieldingly holds the roller I60 against the edge of its operating cam I49, so that when thecam is rotated the folding blade oscillateslbetween' the unoperated position of Fig. 2 and a position in which it advances an article into engagement between the two folding rolls. Sleeve I48 has secured to it a second cam member I55 adapted to actuate a roller I56 on an arm I 51 mounted in a bracket I56 which together with other brackets supports a shaft I59 to which is pinned aiever I60. Lever I90 is connected to arm I51 by a short link I6I, so that when the shaft I59 is oscillated by movement of the couber I55. Upon withdrawal, aspring I 63, Fig. 19,

interposed between sleeve I48 and a collar I64 on shaft I30, moves said sleeve to engage clutch element I41 with continuouslyrotating clutch element I44. Since the oscillation of shaft I59 is but momentary, accomplished by movement of g the arms X or Y of the timer (see Fig. 17) and roll, and not only serves as one roll of the folding unit but also as the driving means for the series of upper tapes 24 before referred to.

There are four folding units in the machine, to-wit, two first units 29 and two second units 30. The first units 29 are driven by a continuously driven common shaft I29 (see Figs. 5 and 6). The second units 30 are driven by a continuously rotating common shaft I30. Shaft I29 is supported in brackets I3I and shaft I30 in brackets I32. These brackets, together with the rest of the folding blade operating mechanism' are mounted on suitable supports attached to the side frames of the machine.

The second folding unit 30 includes a folding blade I 38 adapted to move the article between upper and lower folding rolls I39, I40, both provided with rubber rings I21, but otherwise similar in all respects to the first folding rolls 21, I26, stripper fingers I4I here preventing entrance of the leading edge of the folded article from entering the space between the two-rolls. When the article emerges from the first folding rolls 21, I26, it travels down along a polished plate I33, which may also be heated like plate I2I, into a position predetermined by the setting and operation of the timing mechanism, and at the proper time the folding blade I38 tucks the folded article between the rolls of the second unit so as to produce the second fold therein, the article emerging from the second folding rollsjand travelling along plate I42 to the receiving table I43.

Because all of the four folding devices are alike, description of but one will sufiice for all.

Referring to Fig. 19, shaft I39 has secured thereto one member I44 of a jaw clutch. To accurately set the clutch it is backed up by a set screw I45 adjustable in a bracket I46 pinned to the shaft. The other element I41 of the clutch forms part of a sleeve I48 freely rotatable on the shaft. Said sleeve embodies a. cam portion I49 adapted to actuate a roller I50 mounted upon an arm I5I pinned to a shaft I52 provided their operation of arms I02, I04, the normal position of the roller I56 is restored before the shaft I30 and cam I 49 have made a complete revolution, so that as the cam member I returns, the operating face thereof engages roller I56 and cams the sleeve I48 to the left in Fig. 19 against the compression of spring I63, disengaging the a clutch members I41, I44, and the cam thereupon stops rotating. To support the arm I51 against the effect of spring I63, bracket I58 is provided with an extension I65 provided with an antifriction roller I66 against which said arm engages.

Shaft I62, which operates shaft I59 (see Fig. 5) of course is connected to be operated by one of the shafts I03 or I05, and so with the other folding blade operating mechanisms and their control by their individual timing devices. Therefore, in operation, if any of the arms I00 of a timing mechanism reaches, engages and operates a trip arm I02 or I04, it produces rotation of a shaft I03 or I05, and thereby rotates a shaft I59 of the folding blade operating mechanism, causing one revolution operation of the cam I49 with a complete cycle of operations of the corresponding folding blade and the production of a folding operation on the article being operated upon at this point.

Driving mechanism As previously described, the rolls I6, I1 are driven by the conveyer ribbons 8, which receive their movement from the flatwork ironer driving mechanism. Roll I8 serves as the tension roll for the tapes 8. It is mounted in a pair of bearing blocks I61 one pair mounted at each side of the machine on rods I68, one of which is threaded to support a block I69 for adjusting the springs Threaded rod I66 is provided with a. handle "I by which it-may be rotated to adjust the .block I69 along the rods and thereby vary the tension on the belts 8, as will be readily understood.

From the rolls I6, I1, all moving parts of the folding machine are synchronously driven. This is accomplished largely by chain and sprocket mechanism. For example, a sprocket chain I12 travels over a sprocket on roll I1, under a sprocket on roll I8, over an idle sprocket I18, under a sprocket on each of rolls I28 and I48, over an idle sprocket I14, under a sprocket on shaft I38, over a double sprocket I15 on a stud I18 (see Figs. 2 and 5), and under a sprocket on shaft I29 back to the sprocket on roll I1. This provides drive for the folding rollers 21, I28, and I89, I48, for shafts I29 and I88, and for the double sprocket I15.

The double sprocket I is connected by a chain I11 to a sprocket on the roll I35 (Fig. 2) for driv ing the ribbon conveyer I34.

Each end of the shaft of roll I85 is provided with a sprocket to receive a chain I18 passing around an idler I18 and thence to double sprockets I88 mounted on stub shafts I8I, the smaller sprockets of the double sprockets I88 being connected by chains I82 passing around Idlers I88 to sprockets I84 which rotate freely on the timer shafts I85 of the two timer mechanisms. These timer shafts have pinned thereto ratchets I85 (Fig. 3) cooperating with spring pawls I81 carried by the respective sprocket wheels. This constitutes a pawl and ratchet drive for each of the two timer shafts, assuring that they will be driven only in the proper direction, and avoiding possible back drive which might cause damage, back drive, for example, which might be produced when the flatwork ironer drive is reversed, as is sometimes the case in the operation of a flatwork ironing machine. I

Upon each end of roll I1 is a sprocket connected by the chain 9| to the sprocket 12 of the respective timer-initiating operating mechanisms, and constituting the drive therefor (see Figs. 2, 15 and 16) Operation In describing the operation of the machine as a whole, let us assume first that articles to be folded are of a width adapted to be accommodated by the width of one of the two lanes of the machine. In this case each lane operates as an individual machine controlled by the several articles which successively are introduced into and travel along said lane.

In either lane, as the forward edge of the article reaches the measuring mechanism I3 and depresses the measuring fingers 45, rotating shaft 45, Fig. 12, the switch mechanism 58, 51, Fig. 14, closes, energizing solenoid 58, Fig. 15. This is a solenoid of small capacity because it has relatively light duty, only acting as an initiating agent, thereby avoiding difliculties when a solenoid of larger capacity is necessary for taking care of heavier duty. Energization of the solenoid 68 sets into operation the timer initiating mechanism shown in Figs. 15 and 16, resulting in pulling over the rod 93 to set into operation the timer mechanism Fig. 17, causing two of its arms to travel around, with differential drive and set the machine for producing the proper folds, in this case half and quarter folds. When the rear edge of the article releases fingers 45, the switch 56, 51 opens, deenergizing solenoid 88,.and rod 93 returns, and the proper lines of fold have been selected.

When the article which energized solenoid 58 reaches the position on the plate I2 I, as selected by adjustment of the timer parts, the finger on arm X, Fig. 1'7, engages finger I82, producing operation of the mechanism for actuating the first folding mechanism 29, causing its folding blade I to advance and move the article into contacting position between the folding rolls 21,

I28, whereupon the once-folded article passes beyond said rolls to the plate I88 and down alonB the same.

When the once-folded article reaches the proper position on plate I83, as determined by the setting of the timer parts, the'finger on arm Y, Fig. 17, engages finger I84, initiating operation of the second folding mechanism 38, causing its blade I88 to advance and move the once-folded article into contacting position between the folding rolls I39, I48, for the second or double fold, whereupon the double-folded article passes beyond said rolls to plate I42 and slides down along the same to the delivery table I43.

If it is desired that an article shall pass through the folding machine unfolded, the snap switch 59 for the proper lane is moved to open position (said switch being suitably located for convenience of the operator, as described), which opens the circuit to solenoid 58, Fig. 4, so that closing of the switch 58, 51, has no effect thereon. In this case the article conveyed by ribbons 8 moves downwardly on plate I2I, without fold, until it reaches the conveyer I34, the ribbons of which carry it to the lower delivery table I81, Fig. 2.

In the case of a large article, wide enough to span both lanes, or at least wider than one lane, movement of. this article into the measuring mechanism would engage the fingers 45 in both lanes, which in turn would operate the folding blades in both lanes thereby folding the wide article.. Very satisfactory folding may be accomplished in this way if the article is fed into the ironer properly aligned so that its forward and rear edges are'truly transverse to the length of the machine, and thereby engage and actuate, and also leave the fingers 45 in the two lanes, simultaneously. However, if the forward and rear edges of the article are not parallel and truly transverse to the length of the machine, or if it is carelessly placed and thereby fed into the machine so that its front and rear edges are not truly transverse, the fingers in one lane may be actuated in advance of or later than those in another lane, so that the operation of the folding blades-in the two lanes is not synchronous or simultaneous.

To avoid such faulty operation, it is sometimes desirable, when articles fed are wider than a single lane, to couple the folding blade mechanisms of the two lanes for operation by one set of timer fingers. This is accomplished in the present machine by coupling together the shafts I59 of the first folding units in the two lanes, and also the same shafts I59 of the second folding units of the two lanes, so that they are all operated or controlled by one timing mechanism. The arrangement for this purpose is as follows:

Referring to Figs. 5 and 6, the respective shafts I59 for the right and left lanes meet substantially end to end at the middle of the machine, where each shaft I59 is provided with an arm I88. The outer ends of said arms I88 are bored to receive a pin I89, one for the first folding unit and one for the second folding unit of one of the lanes, such as the right-hand lane. The pins I89 for the two units are connected by rods I98 (Figs. 6 to 8) to arms I9I on a shaft I92 suitably mounted on brackets on the inside of the frame, said shaft being provided with a hand lever I93, of spring steel, extending out through an opening in the side frame and engageable in notches I94 of a plate I95 secured thereto.

With handle I93 in the position shown in Fig. 8,

arms I88,.and the folding units of the two lanes are uncoupled and free for individual operation. By flexing the hand lever I93 to one side it may belreleasedfrom a notch I94, enabling the parts to be moved to the dotted line position, Fig. 8, in which position the pins I89 of the right-hand unit are advanced into the openings in the arms I88 of the left-hand unit, thereby coupling together the shafts I59 of the two lanes. In that case one of the two switches 59 is opened, so that the measuring fingers 45 in only one of the two 1 I 2,275,964 the pins I89 are withdrawn from the left-hand is actuated, valve 200 is operated to energize servomotor 204' and the first folding unit prolanes are active and all folding units are conthe full range of motion of an arm I88, so that' the pins I89 maybe advanced only when they will engage with the openings in the other arms I88. (See Fig. '7.)

Modifications Figs. 22 to 26 inclusive show a modified form of machine using fluid pressure, such as compressed air, for operating the various control and operating parts. For the most part the same apron, belt and chain and sprocket drive mechanism is used, such as for the measuring, timing and like mechanisms. The measuring fingers 45,

however, operate a valve I98 normally biased closed by a spring I 99, to produce connection from a source of supply 200; to the piston and cylinder servomotor I. This servomotor, as shown in Fig. 22, is connected to the mechanism 34 for initiating operation of the timer in the same manner as the form shown in Fig. 2, so that servomotor 20I in every sense is a substitute'for the solenoid 60 of the main form.

The first and second folding units 29, 30, include blades I25, I38, fixed to shafts 202, 203 respectively, which are provided with arms operated directly by the pistons of fluid pressure servomotors 204, 205. These servomotors receive fluid pressure supply through valves 206, 201, the stems of which are coupled directly with the arms 208, 209 of the timer mechanism. Said.

valves are biased to normal pressure release position by springs 2I0, 2 respectively. Springs 2I2, 2I3, respectively bias the folding blade units to normal retracted position.

Referring to Fig. 24, the valves 206, 201, are two-way valves. In the unoperated position, shown in Fig. 24, the valves connect the two servomotors 204, 205 to exhaust, evacuating fluid pressure therefrom. When the valves are turned 90, they connect the servo motors with the source of supply 200, causing actuation of the servomotors to operate the folding blade units.

In operation of this machine, when the forward edge of the article depresses the fingers 45. valve I98 is opened, energizing servomotor 20I which operates the timer initiating mechanism and sets it into operation, advancing its timing arms 208, 209, as in the main form. When the rear edge of the article releases the fingers 45, servomotor 20I is exhausted through a small port in its wall, not shown, the timer is released, and the double fold position of its operating arms has been established. When the first finger 208 duces the first fold in the article. Likewise when the second finger 209 is operated valve'20I is turned, the second servomotor 205 is energized, and the second folding unit is operated to produce the second fold in the article.

The mechanisms of the two lanes, as so far described, are independent in operation. However, the first fold units of the two lanes may be coupled together for, operation by the fingers 45 of one lane only. But here coupling is accom-- plished by direct coupling of the folding blade arms. As shown in Fig. 26, the shafts 202 of the first folding units in the two lanes meet substantially end to end, where they are provided with arms 2I4, the outer ends of which are bored to receive pins 2I 5, which may be controlled and operated in exactly the same way as the pins I89 before described. By advancing pins 2| 5 the two shafts 202 of the first folding units of the two lanes may be coupled, and by a similar arrangement the shafts 203 of the second folding units in the two lanes may likewise be coupled. In this case one of the two valves 2I6, Fig. 24, controlling the supply to'the servomotors 20I of the two lanes, is closed, rendering its fingers ineffective.

Fig. 25 shows an arrangement in which thepiston rod of the servomotor 20I, instead of actuating a timer initiating mechanism, is connected directly to an arm 2 II of the timer mechanism, corresponding to arm 84, Fig. 17, dispensing with the timer initiating mechanism, such as shown in Figs. 15 and 16 illustrating the main form of the invention.

' The invention described provides a materially simplified mechanism dispensing entirely with heavy-duty solenoids and utilizing direct mechanical connections for operating or controlling all of the parts of the machine. The machine as a whole, therefore, is much more durable and less likely to get out of order in service than prior machines for the purpose. Other advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

What I claim is:

1. A folding machine having duplicate sets of parts providing two folding lanes, each lane including folding devices, timing means controlling operation thereof, a solenoid for initiating operation ofthe timing means, measuring fingers, and an electric circuit including said solenoid, a switch controlled by said measuring fingers, and a normally closed switch, whereby opening of said normally closed switch renders the corresponding solenoid ineffective, and means for connecting the folding devices of the two lanes for control by the measuring fingers of one lane.

2. A folding machine, comprising folding mechanism, means for advancing work into position to be operated upon thereby, timing means for controlling the same, said timing means including a casing, a movable operating arm arranged upon movement to cause operation of said folding mechanism, and a support for said arm' adjustable upon said casing.

3. A folding machine, comprising folding mechanism, means for advancing work into position to be operated upon thereby, timing means for controlling the same; said timing means including a generally cylindrical casing, a movable operating armarranged upon movement to cause operation of said folding mechanism, and a support for said arm adjustable around the axis of said casing.

4.- A folding machine, comprising folding mechanism, means for advancing work into position to be operated upon thereby, timing means for controlling the same, said timing means including a generally cylindrical casing, a movable operating arm arranged upon movement to cause operation of said folding mechanism, a support for said arm adjustable around the axis of said casing, and means rotatable in said casing and arranged to engage said arm to actuate the same.

5. A folding machine, comprising folding devices, timing means for controlling the operation thereof, means forinitiating operation of said timing means, and a measuring device to which the said initiating means is sensitive, said initiating means including a friction clutch, the driven portion of which is operatively connected with said timing means, and means for operating the driving portion of said clutch.

6.A folding machine, comprising folding de-' vices, timing means for controlling the operation thereof, means for initiating operation of said timing means, a measuring device to which the said initiating means is sensitive, said initiating means including a friction clutch, the driven portion of which is operatively connected with said timing means, means for operating the driving portion of said clutch, and means sensitive to said measuring device for returning to their initial position the operating parts of the means for initiating operation of the timer.

7. A folding machine including duplicate parts providing two folding lanes, each lane having a pair of folding rolls, having folding blades for feeding an article to said rolls, having an oscillatable shaft'for actuating said blades, and having article-controlled means for controlling said shaft, and mechanical means for coupling the shafts of two lanes together, whereby the .article-controlled means of one lane controls the shafts of both lanes.

8. In a folding machine, a device for folding an article, a driven member operatively connected with said device, a power actuated driving member, a clutch for connecting and disconnecting said members and a timing device responsive to article length for connecting said clutch.

9. -A folding machine including duplicate parts providing two folding lanes, each lane having a device for folding an article, having a driven member operatively connected with said device, having a power actuated driving member, having a clutch for connecting and disconnecting said members, having a timing device for actuating said clutch, and having connecting means between each timing device and its associated clutch, and mechanical means for connecting the connecting means of two lanes for conjoint operation by the timing device of one lane.

10. In a folding machine, a device for folding an article, a timer for actuating said folding device, a measuring finger controllable by an article in the machine, and means for initiating action of said timer including a power actuated "driving member, a driven member operatively connected with said timer, clutch means for connecting and disconnecting said members, a servomotor for moving said clutch means to connect said members, a pressure fiuidsupply for said servomotor including a valve, and an operative connection between said finger and said valve for opening said valve by movement of said finger.

12. A folding machine including a folding blade, a driving clutch member, a driven clutch member, an operative connection between said driven clutch member and said folding blade, spring means urging said driven clutch member into engagement with said driving clutch member, cam means integral with said driven clutch member, an abutment normally engaging said cam means and holding said driven clutch member out of driving engagement, means for momentarily moving said abutment out of engagement with said cam means, and said cam means OSCAR W. JOHNSON. 

